August 17, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, a notorious cultist and armed robbery suspect, as well as a fake ophthalmologist who allegedly endangered the lives of hundreds of residents.
The arrests, carried out between Wednesday and Thursday, have been described as one of the biggest crackdowns on crime in the state in recent times.
Police confirmed that Okon Asuquo Udo, a resident of Ube village in Okobo Local Government Area, was arrested on August 13 after months on the Command’s wanted list.
Udo is accused of masterminding the abduction of a paramount ruler in October 2024 and the wife of an executive chairman in November 2024. He is also linked to multiple kidnappings across Oron, Mbo, and Okobo LGAs.
A senior police source described him as “one of the most slippery suspects in the state,” noting that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of his gang and recover their weapons.
Barely 24 hours later, operatives arrested Inima Sunday Akpan, a suspected cultist and armed robber from Ini LGA, who has allegedly terrorized Ikot Ekpene and its environs.
He was picked up on Thursday night at his hideout in Ibiaku, near Uyo City Polytechnic.
Akpan reportedly confessed to a series of violent robberies in Ikot Otor, Ikot Uboh, and Ikot Osurua, during which a lawyer was shot and several residents injured.
Items recovered from his hideout included a newly repainted Daylong motorcycle suspected to be stolen, a 32-inch television, an LG home theatre system, an amplifier, and a mattress believed to belong to his victims.
In a separate incident, police arrested Gabriel Gideon, who had been parading himself as an ophthalmologist in Itu LGA.
Gideon allegedly deceived unsuspecting villagers by administering a concoction of olive oil, juice, and water as a “cure” for eye defects, charging ₦500 per treatment.
Officials said he duped more than 300 people in each of the communities of Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ukot Itam.
Health experts from the Ministry of Health confirmed the substance was unsafe and could cause permanent eye damage. Gideon has since confessed that he is not a licensed medical practitioner.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed the arrests, assured residents that the Command under CP Baba Mohammed Azare remains committed to flushing out criminals from the state.
“These arrests are a clear warning to criminals hiding under any guise. Akwa Ibom will no longer be safe for crime,” DSP John said.
Udo is accused of masterminding the abduction of a paramount ruler in October 2024 and the wife of an executive chairman in November 2024.
He is also linked to multiple kidnappings across Oron, Mbo, and Okobo LGAs.
A senior police source described him as “one of the most slippery suspects in the state,” noting that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of his gang and recover their weapons.
Barely 24 hours later, operatives arrested Inima Sunday Akpan, a suspected cultist and armed robber from Ini LGA, who has allegedly terrorized Ikot Ekpene and its environs. He was picked up on Thursday night at his hideout in Ibiaku, near Uyo City Polytechnic.
Akpan reportedly confessed to a series of violent robberies in Ikot Otor, Ikot Uboh, and Ikot Osurua, during which a lawyer was shot and several residents injured.
Items recovered from his hideout included a newly repainted Daylong motorcycle suspected to be stolen, a 32-inch television, an LG home theatre system, an amplifier, and a mattress believed to belong to his victims.
In a separate incident, police arrested Gabriel Gideon, who had been parading himself as an ophthalmologist in Itu LGA. Gideon allegedly deceived unsuspecting villagers by administering a concoction of olive oil, juice, and water as a “cure” for eye defects, charging ₦500 per treatment.
Officials said he duped more than 300 people in each of the communities of Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ukot Itam.
Health experts from the Ministry of Health confirmed the substance was unsafe and could cause permanent eye damage. Gideon has since confessed that he is not a licensed medical practitioner.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed the arrests, assured residents that the Command under CP Baba Mohammed Azare remains committed to flushing out criminals from the state.
“These arrests are a clear warning to criminals hiding under any guise. Akwa Ibom will no longer be safe for crime,” DSP John said.
